I had to get a separate fridge, I said. It might sound ridiculous, but it was the only solution. I dont mind selling the flat and splitting the proceeds, but Mum refuses to consider it.
Id just turned 24. Id finished university, landed a job, and was still single. Living in my own home hasnt been exactly a walk in the park. Technically, I own half the flat. It used to belong to my dad, but when he passed away ten years ago, Mum and I inherited it equallyI was just 14 at the time.
We struggled a lot after losing Dad; suddenly, we were left without our main source of income. Mum had stopped working ages ago, when I was still little. She didnt even bother with maternity leaveDad was doing well enough, so there was always plenty. She focused on keeping house. After Dads death, Mum was in bits: Whos going to hire a forty-something woman now? Am I supposed to become a cleaner?
I carry on, We survived on my family allowance, but Mum couldnt resist popping into department stores and picking up new things, even though we were counting out the pennies. At first, my uncle helped out, but he soon reached his limit.
Uncle told Claire (my mum) that shed have to find a job. He had his own two kids and simply couldnt provide for us all. After about a year, Claire showed up with a bloke. His name was Dave. She announced hed be moving in. Her bright idea for sorting out our finances was to get married again. Dave did make a packet, but he and I never saw eye to eye.
Daves words stungAll you do is eat. Youd be better off doing some laundry or cleaning the place. Why bother with homework? Planning to go to uni? What for? You should be working. Dont expect me to keep feeding you forever!
I had nothing to say. Sure, I received a family pension, but Mum pocketed it. She never stood up for me to Dave. She was terrified of losing her meal ticket.
How are we supposed to cope without him? Mum would ask me. Just dont argue and do whatever he says. Hes the breadwinner now.
I managed to get into university and land a job. The whole time, everyone acted as if I was an extra mouth to feed and just a burden Dave had to carry. He kept a running total of how much I cost him.
Six months into my job, I had enough to buy my own fridge, I explain. I put it in my own room because Dave had locked up the one in the kitchen.
Youve got a job? Fine. Feed yourself, Dave grumbled.
Once again, Claire kept quiet. She didnt even say a word when Dave started showing me the utility bills and demanding I pay him back for everything hed spent over the years. Eventually, Dave lost his job. He and Mum then took to raiding my fridge every chance they got. All the bills began to land on my shoulders. At first, I paid them. But Dave was on the dole for nearly a year, and Id had enough. I put a padlock on my fridge. Naturally, Mum wasnt happy, saying Dave had fed us all those years.
I told her, If you want to help, pitch in. Im not the first person whos had to fend for herself in this house. Go out and get a job.
Dave moved out not long ago. Mum’s had enough of having a man around who doesn’t bring in any money. But Im still not opening up my fridge. I think she should find work, too. What do you reckon? Am I in the right?
